CURRICULUM SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER 2019 – APRIL 2020 PICKING THE RIGHT HORSE/EQUINE COSTS/BUDGETING/MEET THE HORSES (September 2019) • Average cost of horse ownership (feed, farrier, basic vetting, facility up keep) • What are you looking for in a horse • Boarding v/s keeping at home? • Emergency fund • Equine lifespan • Breed characteristics • Measuring Height and Weight BASIC EQUINE HANDLING/SAFETY/GROUNDWORK INTRODUCTION (October 2019) • Haltering • Leading • Tying • Basic Groundwork (backing, lunging, desensitizing) • Blind Spots/Danger Zones • Pressure Points • Selecting Training Tools • How to select a trainer and when to know if you need one HOOF CARE/GROOMING BASICS/ADOPTION REQUIRMENTS/APPLICATION PROCESS (November 2019) • Hoof Health/Diseases of the Hoof • Signs of a Healthy Hoof • Shoes v/s Barefoot • How to pick up a hoof and pick a hoof • When to call the farrier • Grooming tools • How to give a bath • Fly Spray • Grooming Products • Adoption Application Overview • Adoption Contract Overview • What to expect after you apply FACILITY BASICS/TACK AND EQUIPMENT (December 2019) • Saddle selection and fit • Bridle and bit selection and fit • Saddle pads, breast collars, martingales • Skid Boots/Bell Boots • Types of Halters • Safe Fencing Options (and cost) • Stall Safety/Cleaning • Must Haves around the Barn • Buckets (summer and winter needs) • Fans • Round pens/Rings/Footing EQUINE NUTRITION (January 2020) • Types of Hay • How to know which hay you need • Square Bales v/s Round • How to buy hay • How to store hay • Recognizing problems with hay • How to read a grain label • How to determine what type of grain to feed • How much to feed • When and where to feed • Do you need supplements? • Importance of Minerals • Determining pasture quality • Poisonous Plants/Dangers • Snacks to feed and avoid EQUINE HEALTH 1 (February 2020) • Common illnesses/prevention (colic, abscesses, choke, allergic reaction etc.) • Vaccination needs • Dental Health • Is it an emergency? • Parasite control • Body Scale EQUINE HEALTH 2 (March 2020) • Anatomy of a Horse • Checking vitals • Basic First Aid • First Aid Kit • What medicines should you have and how do they work • Laminitis – recognize and prevent TRAILERING/EQUINE BODY LANGUAGE/HERD DYNAMICS/ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES (April 2020) • Trailer Types • Trailer Maintenance/Safety • Trailering Basics • Trailer Loading • Equine Body Language • Basic Herd Dynamics • Alternative equine therapies (PEMF, Massage, Chiropractors, Essential Oils) REVIEW/GRADUATION AND ADOPTION PARTY (MAY 2020) • Review lessons learned • Exit interviews to improve for future • Mentor meetings • Graduation Ceremony • Adoption/Commitment Ceremony and Celebration .